Thevenet’s large lead began to fall and he was caught with 7 km to go. A determined Eddy Merckx (pictured below) attack on the final climb of Mont Réal (Mont Royal). Only 38 year old Raymond Poulidor could hold Merckx’s wheel.

Merckx drives the pace on the final climb of Mont Royal [ photo courtesy of Ken Johnson ]

Eddy Merckx (Bel) won the sprint and earned the 1974 “Rainbow Jersey”. Poulidor sprinted in for second place.

SPECIAL NOTE: The grueling pace of the race saw only 18 riders finish the race.